Optimal Management of Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Clinical Challenges

Abstract

Joseph J Cuthbert,1,2 Pierpaolo Pellicori,3 Andrew L Clark2 1Centre for Clinical Sciences, Hull York Medical School, Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK; 2Department of Cardiology, Hull University Teaching Hospital Trust, Kingston Upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK; 3Robertson Centre for Biostatistics and Glasgow Clinical Trials Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UKCorrespondence: Joseph J Cuthbert, Department of Cardiorespiratory Medicine, Centre for Clinical Sciences, Hull York Medical School, Hull and East Yorkshire Medical Research and Teaching Centre, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, Kingston Upon Hull, HU16 5JQ, UK, Tel [phone], Fax [phone], Email [email protected]: Heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common causes of breathlessness which frequently co-exist; one potentially exacerbating the other. Distinguishing between the two can be challenging due to their similar symptomatology and overlapping risk factors, but a timely and correct diagnosis is potentially lifesaving. Modern treatment for HF can substantially improve symptoms and prognosis for many patients and may have beneficial effects for patients with COPD. Conversely, while many inhaled treatments for COPD can improve symptoms and reduce exacerbations, there is conflicting evidence regarding the safety of some inhaled treatments for COPD in patients with HF. Here we explore the overlap between HF and COPD, examine the effect of one condition on the other, and address the challenges of managing patients with both conditions.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, management, outcomes, comorbidities

Keywords

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• heart failure
• management
• outcomes
• comorbidities.